Physna raises $6.9 million to develop “Google of 3D models”

Physna, a Cincinnati-based 3D modeling software startup, has announced the completion of a $6.9 million series A funding round, led by Columbus venture capital firm Drive Capital.  Using the investment, Physna will further the development of its 3D model search engine, which allows users to compare and analyze thousands of 3D models for the purpose […]

Autodesk releases generative design addons for 3D modelling software Fusion 360

Award-winning multinational software company Autodesk has released new add-ons for its entry-level 3D modeling software Fusion 360. Among the latest updates is a cost estimation tool combined with generative design. The add-on is powered by Massachusetts-based by aPriori Technologies, a cost management software maker. Stephanie Feraday, the president and CEO of aPriori Technologies, said, “This partnership with Autodesk […]

PTC highlights generative design at its 2019 LiveWorx Conference

PTC’s annual user conference in Boston’s Seaport District had one unifying message to attendees this year: Digital Transformation is coming. From augmented reality and industrial internet of things (IIOT) demonstrations, to a partner exhibition and interactive cybersecurity displays, this year focused on inbound technologies and their importance to our connected future. Select talks focused on […]

2019 3D Printing Industry Awards update Software Application of the Year

Didn’t win an Oscar this weekend? Never mind, the 2019 3D Printing Awards is coming on June 6th, celebrating the greatest achievements in additive manufacturing over the past year. Nominations for this year’s 3D Printing Industry Awards close March 1, 2019, so there’s only a few days left to share your contributions before we share […]

PTC acquires Frustum in $70 million generative design deal

Massachusetts-based software company PTC has announced the acquisition of Colorado software developer and 2018 3D Printing Industry Awards nominee Frustum, for approximately $70 million. This acquisition will add Frustum’s generative design technology to the PTC Creo CAD portfolio. “PTC is pushing the boundaries of innovation with this acquisition,” said Jim Heppelmann, President and CEO, PTC. “Creo is core to PTC’s […]

GE Additive and Vera Announce Partnership to Secure 3D Printing Workflow

GE Additive and data protection company Vera have announced a new partnership centered around a technology integration that secures the entire additive workflow, from design to print. Design engineers can now protect and encrypt their proprietary designs before moving to the next step in their build preparation workflow, or upon final submission to GE Additive 3D printers.

“Today’s additive workflow uses a vast array of unsecured mix of tools, technologies, and formats,” said Lars Bruns, software leader at GE Additive. “To help the industry grow and lower barriers of adoption, we need to drive towards a secure, more integrated workflow that protects design IP from theft or illegitimate use at the point of design. Together with Vera, we’re enabling usability and efficiency from the design creation in CAD tools all the way to the final 3D printed part of a machine.”

Engineers can now use Vera’s data-centric security along with GE Additive’s new Build Preparation workflow services to secure their workflows. GE Additive is using Vera’s native SDK to protect files throughout the entire document and printing life cycle. This will also ensure continuous security beyond the build preparation workflow to secure powder and material parameters, machine configurations, part printing and more with end-to-end encryption and advanced data protection.

GE and Vera originally partnered up last year, and GE has since been using Vera’s security platform to protect its own intellectual property. In addition to security from design inception throughout the entire 3D printing workflow, Vera’s dynamic encryption travels with the designs everywhere, so there’s no need to rely on secure storage systems. Full data visibility and reporting allow users to understand how content is used and by whom, and to investigate unauthorized access attempts with detailed reports for SOC. Access can be revoked instantly from any individual, device, group or location.

“Being the first to bring secure 3D printing to market marks a seminal moment for Vera,” said Carlos Delatorre, CEO of Vera. “GE Additive has elevated the state-of-the art of manufacturing with its 3D printing technology and techniques. Together we are ensuring that technology is fully secure. 3D printing changed the face of manufacturing by putting the power to manufacture even the most complex designs in the hands of almost anyone. But that power comes at the cost of risking billions of dollars intellectual property from design to production. Our announcement today mitigates that risk dramatically and helps secure the overall workflow.”

In addition to the partnership with Vera, GE also announced partnerships with Autodesk, PTC and Siemens PLM Software, as well as a collaboration agreement with Dassault Systèmes. The terms of each agreement were not disclosed.

GE is at formnext this week and demonstrated its forthcoming digital workflow software solution, as well as announcing its plans to introduce a suite of secure build preparation services next year. The workflow solution simplifies the additive manufacturing process and enables an interoperable workflow. Currently, the 3D printing industry uses a wide variety of build preparation tools, technologies, interfaces and licenses, which creates more complexity for designers. GE wants to create a common experience through a single tool that reduces design iterations and speeds up the time to print.

(L to R) Jason Oliver, President & CEO, GE Additive, Karsten Heuser, Vice President Additive Manufacturing, Andreas Saar, Vice President, Manufacturing Engineering, Siemens PLM Software & Lars Bruns, software leader, GE Additive

Finally, GE is inviting interested parties to participate in beta testing through its Software Advisory and Technical Preview program.

“Feedback is a critical activity in the development of any software system, which is why we are demonstrating our current capabilities in Frankfurt,” said Bruns. “Over the next eight months, we’re seeking customer input from our users to help us inspect, adapt and iterate ahead of our commercial launch.”

Discuss this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts below.

GE Additive announces M Line Factory release date and forges software partnerships

GE Additive has formed software partnerships with industry leaders and has announced the release date of the M LINE FACTORY system. In 2016, GE Additive acquired a 75% stake in Concept Laser, a German metal 3D printing manufacturer and maker of the M LINE FACTORY system. Since then the M LINE FACTORY has undergone software […]